The seeds of inspiration for this Halloween costume were first planted last January when I, in the midst of one of my usual vintage hat searches on etsy, chanced upon this mint condition vintage nurse's cap. The price was reasonable, so I snapped it right then and there, and thus knew what I was going to be for Halloween 2012. A few months later I found the vintage nurse's uniform (also on etsy), and I picked up the lovely little RN pin on eBay this fall.

As a child playing hospital was one of my all-time favourite games (in part because I sometimes thought as a little girl that I might grow up to be a nurse or doctor) and I’ve always adored pictures of vintage nurses, so in many ways this costume is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream to dress like one - if only for October 31st.

Though, much like it had for the past five days and has subsequently ever since, it rained on Halloween morning, but much to our delight, ceased for a few hours in the afternoon and evening, which meant that the adorable little trick-or-treaters (of which we got about 70 that night) could run around without getting drenched. Given the fact snow is a very real possibility on Halloween in Canada, I couldn't complain the weather, even if it was grey and nippy. A dry Halloween, no matter the temperature, always beats a rainy or snowy one!

That evening my mom and step-dad came over for a few hours and we handed out candy, made and then devoured a tray of GF Rice Krispy treats, and watched the Great Pumpkin again. Tony and my parents didn't dress up in costumes, but they did all have orange and/or black on (Tony looked especially sharp in an orange shirt, black tie, black trousers, and a smart new hat he picked up at Moore's a few days ago). We had a thoroughly wonderful time and, without a doubt, this was one of the nicest Halloweens I've ever experienced.

Though I'm a little sad to see my favourite holiday come and go again, we had such a marvelous time this year that I don't mind the fact I have to wait nearly twelve months again to carve pumpkins (because the awesome memories from this one will keep me smiling until then).

I like to take down my Halloween decorations right away (I find doing so lessens the potential likelihood of feeling blue about Halloween being over) and did so bright and early on Thursday morning. I haven't brought out the Christmas one yet, but it won't be long now and all, and goodness, am I excited to deck out this place for the winter holidays for the first time!

So while it's always a little tough to wave good-bye to Halloween again, I am eager for jolly old St. Nick to return and like the fact that I've got almost a whole year to think up my next Halloween costume!

Our local hospital has an elderly nurse (in her 80's) who dresses just like that every day! She now oversees the comfort of patients' families waiting in the ICU. Sweet little old lady, and I just love her outfit!

That is so sweet. We have an older lady at my kids school who has had her grandchildren and children go through our primary school and still helps out with the infants nearly everyday...it is so nice to have these beautiful people around comforting and helping in the community.

Such a perfectly executed, and fabulous, costume! I know exactly what you mean about snow for Halloween, growing up in Western New York State, there were some years I trick-or-treated in a snow suit!

I, too, like to get all of the Halloween decor taken down right away. It'll be a while before I pull out the Christmas but thankfully I do have a few turkeys to put out for our Thanksgiving and that always makes putting Halloween away a little easier for me!

I too like to take down my Halloween decorations right away. And I used to refuse to get in Christmas mode before the day after Thanksgiving, but this year, I am SO ready for Christmas! I think it's because I have chosen not to celebrate Thanksgiving this year...

This is great....so authentic. This would be great for a pin-up series!I take my Halloween decorations down right away too.I love Christmas season and I'm looking forward to it; the evergreens laden with snow, carriage rides, sleigh bells and hot chocolate.

You look great and that hat is just too cool. I was thinking of bring a nurse to but decided to just use stuff that I have in my closet. I thought it a waste to make a nurse outfit if I was never going to use it again. We also had a very cold and windy Halloween. I was afraid it was going to rain but it didn't. I don't think rain would have stopped the trick-or-treaters either.

You look too cute! My husband's great aunt was the head nurse in Washington state in a military hospital during WW2 and earlier this year, his dad passed all of her pins, medals, buttons and insignias down to us. I really need to find a way to display them properly because they are absolutely amazing. I wanted to wear a few of them as a nurse this year but those nurse uniforms are not easy to come by. Great finds!! x

You make a wonderful nurse and I remember when they used to wear those crisp uniforms and the cap was so important! We had little trick or treaters wearing scrubs and being current-day nurses. Also loved the chicken recipe awhile back--must try it some cold and rainy day. I'm so glad your Halloween was happy!

Dearest Jessica, You look simply smashing as a nurse! Loving it all and your persistence in finding the whole set.I'm extremely jealous of your finds as I have always loved the whole nurse theme...there is a great Golden Book by the name of "Nurse Nancy" that I bought for my kids when little ( all be it a re-released version) that started the whole vintage nursey obsession... and now there is the english drama "Call the Mid-Wife" that is spurring it on. I have always wanted one of those navy/red woolen nurses capes...I think I have too many vintage dreams. xxx as always Shauna

That is such a beautiful nurses halloween costume, so authentic yet simple. I love it so much, your outfit was meant to be when you found the hat! I always take down the decorations straight after, because I hate the thought of halloween being over, as it doesn't go on for days like Christmas.Love Lil xwww.littleliloflondon.blogspot.com

Oh darling that outfit is so you! I can see you appearing in some BBC medical drama set in the 50s... Halloween isn't really celebrated over this side of the globe but it's lovely to read about your joy and enthusiasm in it...my love to you...

Also, did I read gf = gluten free? I'm gluten free! I'll be publishing some of my recipes on my blog, the first one (plum and blackberry crumble bars with toffee apple cream) will be up in the next couple of hours.

Oh how I wish nurses still dressed like this!!! You look absolutely stunning in this costume, and like someone already said, you really do look like a character from a 50s medical drama.

I really love the idea of Halloween but we don't really celebrate it in Australia, however I think it is starting to take off because there are some shops that put up decorations. I think maybe in a few years from now it will become more popular, I do hope so. However, thinking about it...to a lot of people, how I dress it may as well be Halloween every day...

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!!! :D I LOVE your outfit; you look stunning!!! :DAlthough Halloween is such a fun holiday, I would have to say that my favourite is Christmas. I hope that you have a great time decorating for the holiday season!! :D

Spot on perfect! You look like you've walked right off the set of any given old hospital movie. I'd almost exepect you to keep care of Jimmy Stewart and "Harvey" or perhaps assist Dr. Kildare. Wonderful as always!

Thank you each very much for your wonderfully nice comments. I was so, so eager all year long to debut this hat and dress, and am thrilled to know you enjoyed seeing it as much as I loved wearing it. While this isn't the kind of thing one has an occasion to wear all the time (unless perhaps they were a nurse, which I'm not), I look forward to hopefully sporting it on other occasions, too (not, just for Halloween, I mean).

I worked at an assisted living home for a while and had the pleasure of providing care for several women in their 80's and 90's that had been nurses. I loved looking at their vintage photos and you truly do them justice:)

What an amazing dress! And the hat is spectacular as well... it reminds me a bit of a flying nun, I think. You look completely fabulous, and radiantly happy (and perhaps just a bit smug) with your wonderful costume.

I'm Jessica, a lifelong lover of all things antique and vintage, especially those from the 1930s, 40s and 50s.

This blog is my visual scrapbook in which I record and share my thoughts on the multitude of sources, people and products that inspire and feed a modern gal's addiction to the past. I also post about the vintage clothes, hairstyles and make-up looks that I adore wearing.

Stay a spell and have a blast as we explore the incomparably fantastic world of vintage history and fashion together.

All images used on this site are credited to their original posters/creators/sources,
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PS...I just wanted to say thank you very much for visiting and to tell you that you're equal parts awesome and beautiful.